Illustrator MCP Server vs Raven
A side-by-side look at the Illustrator MCP Server and Raven MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Illustrator MCP Server for architecture & design work as a local process; choose Raven for architecture & design as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Illustrator MCP Server when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Architecture & Design domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You have the keys it needs:
ILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_NORMAL, ILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_HEAVY. - You want tools like
get_document_info, get_artboards, get_layers.
Choose Raven when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Architecture & Design domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
get_principles, get_pattern, get_business_strategy.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Architecture & Design | Architecture & Design |
| Quality signal | 71/100 · Great | 59/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | No auth required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Free | Not declared |
| Required env vars | ILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_NORMALILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_HEAVY | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 177 | 6 |
| Directory activity | 7 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 66 | 63 |
| Full listing | View Illustrator MCP Server | View Raven |
Tools & capabilities
Illustrator MCP Server tools 66
get_document_infoGet document metadataget_artboardsGet all artboard informationget_layersGet layer structure as a treeget_selectionGet detailed information about the currently selected objects. While editing text (text cursor or selected characters), the containing text frame is returned with a textSelection field (selected contents, length, start; insertionPoint: true for a bare cursor).list_text_framesList text frames with summary-level information (including orientation and threaded-frame links nextFrameUUID/previousFrameUUID). Supports reading-order sort, pagination, and a lightweight contents-only mode. layer_name includes text inside groups and sublayers of that layer.get_text_frame_detailGet detailed text frame attributes including per-character runs (font, tracking, akiLeft/akiRight, tsume, proportionalMetrics), kerning pairs with manual kerning values (1/1000 em), paragraph attributes (leading, autoLeading, paragraph style), orientation (horizontal/vertical) and threaded-frame links (nextFrameUUID/previousFrameUUID). Returns cssHints for web/CSS reproduction.get_colorsGet all color information used in the document. usedFillColors / usedStrokeColors list each distinct color once with a count of how many paths and text ranges use it (most used first).get_path_itemsGet path and shape data, including paths inside groups and compound paths (clipping: true marks a clipping-mask path). Note: fill/stroke do not include per-attribute opacity; use the item-level opacity field for transparency.get_guidelinesGet guide informationget_groupsGet structure of groups, clipping masks, and compound paths. Children of a clipping-mask group mark the mask path with clipping: true. When depth cuts the tree off, the item has childrenTruncated: true and childCount (children is empty only because of the depth limit).get_effectsGet effect and appearance informationget_imagesGet embedded and linked image information: file path, broken-link status (linkBroken: file missing on disk), pixel size, and effective resolution (ppi at the placed size; rotation-safe).- +54 more on the listing page
Raven tools 63
get_principlesGet design principles relevant to a UI contextget_patternGet proven patterns for a specific UI typeget_business_strategyGet business/monetization strategiesevaluate_designEvaluate a design description against principles. Pass base64 PNG screenshots (`before_screenshot`/`after_screenshot`) for a structured before/after pixel diff with `fix_confirmed`, `changed_ratio`, and changed region. Pass `compact: true` to return only scores and violations (drops full principle/…search_knowledgeSearch across all principles, patterns, and strategiesget_checklistGet a pre-publish checklist for a UI typeget_d4d_frameworkGet Design for Delight framework templateslist_design_systemsBrowse available design systemsget_design_systemGet tokens for a specific design systemcompose_systemMix tokens from different systemsget_brand_systemGet a full system styled like a well-known brandaudit_pageAudit HTML/CSS against Raven's quality standards — pass `html` for static audit, or `url` to render headless with optional `scroll_settle` (step through reveal gates, then return to top) and `viewport` parameters; `containerMaxWidth` makes container checks token-aware. Also flags inline SVG icons t…- +51 more on the listing page
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Illustrator MCP Server
{
"mcpServers": {
"illustrator-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"illustrator-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"ILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_NORMAL": "YOUR_ILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_NORMAL_HERE",
"ILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_HEAVY": "YOUR_ILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_HEAVY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Raven
{
"mcpServers": {
"raven": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"raven-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Illustrator MCP Server is categorized under Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. Raven belongs to Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Illustrator MCP Server for architecture & design work and Raven for architecture & design.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Illustrator MCP Server is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Raven has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add illustrator-mcp-server and raven as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Illustrator MCP Server has a quality signal of 71/100 (Great) with 7 views, 0 installs and 177 GitHub stars. Raven has 59/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 6 GitHub stars.